Legal Definitions - back lands

Back lands refers to parcels of property that do not have direct frontage or immediate access to a public road, highway, or a natural body of water such as a river, lake, or ocean. These properties are typically situated behind other parcels that do have such frontage or access.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Imagine a large rural estate with a main farmhouse and fields that border a county road. However, a significant portion of their undeveloped forest land, located deep within the property and bordering another private farm, has no direct access to any public road. This forested area would be considered back lands because it lies away from any public thoroughfare, requiring passage over other property to reach it.

• A developer is planning a new retail complex. They acquire a large plot of land where the front portion directly faces a busy city street. However, a smaller, irregularly shaped section at the very rear of the property is completely surrounded by other commercial buildings and does not touch any public street. This rear section is an example of back lands because it is not adjacent to a public street and is effectively landlocked by other developed parcels.

• Consider a series of properties along a scenic coastline. The first row of luxury homes has direct beach access and ocean views. Behind these homes, there's a second row of undeveloped lots. These lots are close to the ocean but are separated from the water by the first row of properties and do not have their own direct beach frontage. These undeveloped lots are considered back lands in relation to the watercourse, as they lack direct access to the ocean, being situated behind other parcels that do.